Automatic metering apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for volumetric metering of large variable batches of pourable material is disclosed comprising a single chamber of gas-permeable material having a charging port. The chamber is provided in a pivotable gas-tight container, and is connected to a pneumatic system. The container has a position enabling the filing of the metering chamber through the charge port. Positioning of the chamber opening opposite an opening in the housing provides access for insertion and removal of space filling bodies to vary the volume of batches being metered.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for volumetric metering of variable batches of pourable material comprising: a hollow air-tight container rotatable about an axis;   a single metering chamber inserted into the periphery of said container extending through the central portion thereof and occupying a major portion of the interior volume of said container, said metering chamber having an opening at said periphery forming a charge port therein for receiving said pourable material and having walls at least part of which are gas permeable;   a pneumatic system connected to the interior of said air-tight container and operative through said gas permeable walls as a pneumatic system applied to said metering chamber; and   means for varying the volume of said metering chamber comprising space filling bodies insertable into said metering chamber.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least part of said walls of said metering chamber are of sintered material. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a dust-tight housing surrounding said air-tight container and having a discharge member positioned below said container for discharging said metering chamber, said container being journalled for rotation within said dust-tight housing, and an access door in said housing for providing access to said metering chamber. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a charge member is provided at the top of said dust-tight housing, said charge member being in sealed engagement with said container. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said container is formed as a drum and is journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis in sealed engagement with said charge member for charging said metering chamber when said charge port of said metering chamber is in approximate alignment with said charge member. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sealing engagement is accomplished by a self-adjusting sealing member. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the position of the container is sensed for controlling the application of pneumatic pressure to the interior of said container. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container is enclosed within a dust-tight housing provided with a closable opening for access to said metering chamber through which said space filling bodies may be inserted into and removed from said metering chamber. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus for volumetric metering of variable batches of pourable material comprising: a hollow air-tight container rotatable about an axis;   a single metering chamber in said container extending from the periphery through the central portion of said container and occupying a major portion of the interior volume thereof, said metering chamber having an opening forming a charging port therein for receiving said pourable material and having walls at least part of which are gas permeable;   a pneumatic system connected to the interior of said air-tight container and operative through said gas permeable walls as a pneumatic system applied to said metering chamber, said pneumatic system being connected to the interior of said container by a single connection and acting alternately as a vacuum system and as a pressure system connected to the interior of said container wherein charging and discharging of said metering chamber may be controlled as a discontinuous operation; and   means for varying the volume of said metering chamber comprising space filling bodies insertable into said metering chamber.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said single connection is a hollow shaft journalled for rotating said container.